Editorial Note: Hikes like this require proper equipment, training and a high level of fitness. You should also be respectful of the lands you travel on and be sure not to trespass or put yourself in danger with wildlife or the terrain. We get to live in this amazing area called the Okanagan, and we need to be responsible and respectful.
If you asked about the old mines near Peachland, most people would point you in the direction of Brenda mines towards Merritt. However, some locals of the small town might send you up into the mountains behind Pincushion, the well-known hiking trail.
From the parking area (directions below), follow the easily noticeable quad tracks up into the woods. Once on the trail, you will see some orange trail markers on your right-hand side hanging off tree branches to lead your way.
Once you make it to the bottom of the hill (depicted above), you’ll pass a small burnt patch that a forest fire took out a few years ago. Soon after that, there will be a “Y” in the trail which is easy to miss, so be sure to pay attention. Turn right and it will take you down and continue on with the quad trail, take the foot path to the left and you will continue northeast on a narrow ridge along the hillside. This area gets scenic as the incline of the mountain allows for a better view of the lake and mountains, from Kelowna all the way down to Summerland.
After you pass the Canadian palm trees to your left (depicted above) the mountain starts to level off and you’ll notice a rock cliff to the right (we hung a swing down the embankment near said cliff).
Follow the trail for another 100m or so until you see a path to your left with some more trail markers. Take this until you see access to a loose rock hill, once again on the left-hand side.
If you’ve made it this far, you might as well explore a little and get off the beaten path. What’s to come shouldn't be simply passed by, but unfortunately many folks don’t even know this place exists.
When it comes to getting out and exploring new places, there’s nothing like a cave or an old abandoned mine to change-up the pace a little. There isn’t much on the internet for information, so I’m unaware of what the original names and materials they were attempting to claim are. However, I don’t think I’ll be quitting my day job anytime soon to dig holes this size into the sides of mountain. If anyone has any extra insight into the history of these sites, please feel free to share in the comments section below!
Thanks for dropping in!
Dogs always welcome.
Please enjoy our mountains respectfully and responsibly!
Since the day I took my first photography course in high school I knew it would soon become my new-found passion. After finding some much-needed inspiration on Instagram, I slowly got into the adventure side of photography. Whether it’s climbing a mountain or shooting down a zip-line, off-roading or just simply doing some fishing in the backcountry, I’m always trying to find new ways to have a little fun while applying photography in the process. Raised in the Okanagan, I still find myself blown away with what I discover in our valley. Join my adventures on Instagram @theexpeditionist or contact me at ericsaukarookoff@hotmail.com.
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